Cranberry Christmas Cookies, featured in the children’s book, Cranberry Christmas, are amazingly, surprisingly good. Tart and sweet, they’re packed with flavor.
I may just have found my new favorite cookies. They don’t look like anything special. The recipe contains no special ingredients. In fact, I was surprised to look over the ingredients list. But, these Cranberry Christmas Cookies?
Winners!
Huge winners in my book. The kids all yelped at their first bite. These are wowza good.
I can’t take credit for the recipe. It’s featured on the back of the children’s Christmas book, Cranberry Christmas. It’s a throw back from my childhood that I purchased for my kids. We are making a new set of memories together.
This girl was so excited when the book arrived. We’ve enjoyed reading Cranberry Thanksgiving over the last couple years. This year I bought Cranberry Christmas to add to our storybook collection.
Did you read these when you were a kid? They’re from 1976, or thereabouts.
The books, written by Wende and Harry Devlin, feature Maggie, her grandmother, and their neighbor Mr. Whiskers. Apparently, the Christmas one was turned into a TV special, starring Barry Manilow. Who knew?
I have a very clear memory of baking the Cranberry Bread from Cranberry Thanksgiving with my Granny. Unlike Gramma John, Granny didn’t bake. So, I really remember that day.
I wanted to make sure the kids and I tried out these recipes. My girl was pleased to be the helper last week in baking the cookies. The life-changing cookies. Ahem.
We read the story and baked. Note: the book doesn’t address anything remotely related to Christmas, in the Christian sense of the word, but it takes place a Christmas time and is a sweet story about friendship.
A set of the books and a batch of cookies would make a great gift for families on your list this year!
I’ve adjusted the directions to the original recipe because I found they needed a little tweaking. I chopped the cranberries before I measured them which may make my measurements different than theirs. Go whichever way you like. Also, we used almonds instead of walnuts because: walnut allergy.
I highly recommend making a batch of these and stashing them in the freezer for yourself. They are tart and sweet and crunchy. Super duper good!
Cranberry Christmas Cookies
Ingredients
- 3 cup unbleached, all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar packed
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 3 cup fresh cranberries chopped
- 1 cup chopped almonds toasted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
- In another mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugars with a hand mixer or a Kitchenaid. Beat in the egg, milk, and lemon juice. Add the flour mixture and beat until combined. This will be a stiff dough. Add in the cranberries and almonds and mix well.
- Drop dough by tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until golden. Cool on wire racks.
- Cooled cookies can be frozen in airtight containers for up to 2 months.
Notes
Nutrition
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Want more stories to read with the kids with recipes and crafts to go with? A Simpler Season has a special section of book recs paired with extension activities to do with the kids!
Dana
Ah, the Cranberry books. I remember THE highlight of 1st grade — our teacher read us the story and my best friend’s mom brought the bread with the recipe mimographed to take home — this was 1971~ and my mom had to make it for our family because I insisted. I have continued the tradition and make the bread every year at Thanksgiving for my family. Own both books but have never made the cookies! Thanks for spurring me on to a new Christmas tradition, Jessica!
Jessica Fisher
Yay! I’m so glad. I have such fond memories of these books and only rediscovered them in print a few years ago. Love them!
Michele Thomson
i LOVED the Cranberry Christmas book as a kid! i never read Cranberry Thanksgiving, i might have to order it! Thanks for the nostalgia!!
Jessica Fisher
It’s not all brilliant of a book, but it ranks high on nostalgia. 🙂
Shelly
Could you use frozen cranberries and chop them up?
Jessica Fisher
Yes. I’d recommend using a food processor. That’s what I did for mine that weren’t frozen.
Anna
I remember that book. Giving the book and a batch of cookies as a Christmas present is a great idea 🙂
Nancy H
These sound like a great change from normal Christmas cookie fare! Just to be sure, we’re talking fresh cranberries and not dried – is that correct?
Jessica Fisher
Yes! Weird, huh? When the books were written, I’m not sure dried cranberries were even available. The fresh cranberries are pretty amazing in it.